The life of Marie Antoinette, queen of France

Preface

The principal authorities for the following work are the four volumes of Correspondence published by M. Arneth, and the six volumes published by M. Feuillet de Conches. M. Arneth's two collections* contain not only a number of letters which passed between the queen, her mother the Empress-queen (Maria Teresa), and her brothers Joseph and Leopold, who successively became emperors after the death of their father ; but also a regular series of letters from the imperial embassador at Paris, the Count Mercy d'Argenteau, which may almost be said to form a complete history of the court of France, especially in all the transactions in which Marie Antoinette, whether as dauphiness or queen, was concerned, till the death of Maria Teresa, at Christmas, 1780. The correspondence with her two brothers, the emperors Joseph and Leopold, only ceases with the death of the latter in March, 1792.

The collection published by M. Feuillet de Conchesf has been vehemently attacked, as containing a series of clever forgeries rather than of genuine letters. And there does seem reason to believe that in a few instances, chiefly in the earlier portion of the correspondence, the critical acuteness of the editor was imposed upon, and that some of the letters inserted were not written by the persons alleged to be the authors. But of the majority of the letters there seems no solid ground for questioning the authenticity. Indeed, in the later and more important portion of the correspondence, that which belongs to the period after the death of the Empress-queen, the genuineness of the Queen's letters is continually supported by the collection of M. Arneth, who has himself published many of them, having found them in the archives at Vienna, where M. F. de Conches had previously copied them,J and who refers to others, the publica-

* One entitled " Marie- Antoinette, correspondanee secrete entre Marie- Therese et le Comte Mercy d'Argenteau, avec des lettres de Marie-Therese et de Marie- Antoinette." (The edition referred to in tiiis work is the greatly enlarged second edition in three volumes, published at Paris, 1875.) The second is entitled " Marie- Antoinette, Joseph II., und Leopold II," published at Leipsic, 1866.

t Entitled "Louis XVI., Marie-Antoinette, et Madame Elizabeth," in six volumes, published at intervals from 1864 to 1873.

X In his "Nouveau Lundi," March .5th, 1866, M. Sainte-Beuve challenged M. Feuillet de Conches to a more explicit defense of the authenticity of his collection than he had yet vouchsafed ; complaining, with some reason, that

6 PREFACE.

tion of which did not come within his own plan. M. Feuillet de Conches' work also contains narratives of some of the most imjoortant transactions after the commencement of the Revolution,' which are of great value, as having been compiled from authentic sources. Besides these collections, the author has consulted the lives of Marie Antoinette by Montjoye, Lafont d'Aussoune, Chambrier, and the MM. Goncourt ; " La Vraie Marie Antoinette " of M. Lescure ; the Memoirs of Mme. Campan, Cl^ry, Hue, the Duchesse d'Angoulfeme, Bertrand de Moleville ("M6moires Particuliers"),the Comtede Tilly, the Baron de Besenval, the Marquis de la Fayette, the Marquise de Cr6quy, the Princesse Lamballe ; the " Souvenirs de Quarante Ans," by Mile, de Tourzel; the "Diary" of M. cle Viel Castel; the correspondence of Mme. du Deffand ; the account of the affair of the necklace by M. de Campardon ; the very valuable correspondence between the Count de la Marck and Mirabeau, which also contains a narrative by the Count de la Marck of many very important incidents ; Dumont's " Souvenirs sur Mirabeau ;" " Beaumarchais et son Temps," by M. de Lom6nie; "Gustavus III. et la Cour de Paris," by M. Geoffroy; the first seven volumes of the Histoire de la Terreur, by M. Mortimer Ternaux ; Dr. Moore's journal of liis visit to France, and view of the French Revolution ; and a great number of other works in which there is cursory mention of different incidents, especially in the earlier part of the Revolution; such as the journals of Arthur Young, Madame de Stael's elaborate treatise on the Revolution ; several articles in the last series of the "Causeries de Lundi," by Sainte-Beuve, and others in the Bevue cles Deux Mondes, etc., etc., and to those may of course be added the regular histories of Lacretelle, Sismondi, Martin, and Lamartine's " History of the Girondins."

his delay in answering tlie charges brought against it "was the more vexatious because his collection was only attacked in part, and in many points remained solid and valuable." And this challenge elicited from M. F. de Conches a very elaborate explanation of the sources from which he procured his documents, which he published in the Bevue des Deux Mondes, July 15th, 1866, and afterward in the Preface to his fourth volume. That in a collection of nearly a thousand documents he may have occasionally been too credulous in accepting cleverly executed forgeries as genuine letters is possible, and even probable; in fact, the present writer regards it as certain. But the vast majority, including all those of the greatest value, can not be questioned without imputing to him a guilty knowledge that they were forgeries— a deliberate bad faith, of which no one, it is believed, has ever accused him.

It may be added that it is only from the letters of this later period that any quotations are made in the following work ; and the greater part of the letters so cited exists in the archives at Vienna, while the others, such as those addressed by the Queen to Madame de Polignac, etc., are just such as were sure to be preserved as relics by the families of those to whom they were addressed, and -can therefore hardly be considered as liable to the slightest suspicion.

Contents

CHAPTER L

Importance of Marie Antoinette in tlie Revolution. — Value of lier Correspondence as a Means of estimating her Character. — Her Birth, November 2d, 1*755. — Epigram of Metastasio. — Habits of the Imperial Family. — Schonbrunn. — Death of the Emperor. — Projects for the Marriage of the Archduchess. — Her Education. — The Abbe de Vermond. — Metastasio. — Gluck Page 17

Chapter II

Proposal for the Marriage of Marie Antoinette to the Dauphin. — Early Education of the Dauphin. — The Archduchess leaves Vienna in April, 1770. — Her Reception at Strasburg. — She meets the King at Compifegne. — The Marriage takes place May 16th, 1770 24

Chapter III

Feelings in Germany and France on the Subject of the Marriage. — Letter of Maria Teresa to the Dauphin. — Characters of the Different Members of the Royal Family.— Difficulties which beset Marie Antoinette. — Maria Teresa's Letter of Advice. — The Comte de Mercy is sent as Embassador to France to act as the Adviser of the Dauphiness. — The Princesse de Lorraine at the State Ball. — A Great Disaster takes place at the Fire-works in Paris. — The Peasant at Fontainebleau. — Marie Antoinette pleases the King. — Description of her Personal Appearance. — Mercy's Report of the Impression she made on her First Arrival 33

Chapter IV

Marie Antoinette gives her Mother her First Impressions of the Court and of her own Position and Prospects. — Court Life at Versailles. — Marie Antoinette shows her Dislike of Etiquette. — Character of the Due d'Aiguillon. — Cabals against the Dauphiness. — Jealousy of Mme. du Barri. — The Aunts, too, are Jealous of Her. — She becomes more and more Popular. — Parties for Donkey-riding. — Scantiness of the Dauphiness's Income. — Her Influence over the King. — The Due de Choiseul is dismissed. — She begins to have Great Influence over the Dauphin 42

Chapter V

Mercy's Correspondence with the Empress. — Distress and Discontent pervade France. — Goldsmith predicts a Revolution. — Apathy of the King. — The Aunts mislead Marie Antoinette. — Maria Teresa hears that the Dauphiness neglects her German Visitors. — Marriage of the Count de Provence. — Growing Preference of Louis XV. for the Dauphiness. — The Dauphiness applies herself to Study. — Marie Antoinette becomes a Horsewoman. — Her Kindness to all beneath her. — Cabals of the Adherents of the Mistress. — The Royal Family become united. — Concei'ts in the Apartments of the Dauphiness Page 56

Chapter VI

Marie Antoinette wishes to see Paris. — Intrigues of Madame Adelaide. — Characters of the Dauphin and the Count de Provence. — Grand Review at Fontainebleau. — Marie Antoinette in the Hunting Field. — Letter from her to the Empress. — Mischievous Influence of the Dauphin's Aunts on her Character. — Letter of Marie Antoinette to the Empress. — Her Affection for her Old Home. — The Princes are recalled from Exile. — Lord Stormont. — Great Fire at the Hotel-Dieu. — Liberality and Charity of Marie Antoinette. — She goes to the Bal d'Opera. — Her FeeUngs about the Partition of Poland. — The King discusses Politics with her, and thinks highly of her AbiUty. . 66

CHAPTER Vn.

Marie Antoinette is anxious for the Maintenance of the Alliance between France and Austria. — She, with the Dauphin, makes a State Entry into Paris. — The " Dames de la Halle." — She praises the Courtesy of the Dauphin. — Her Delight at the Enthusiasm of the Citizens. — She, with the Dauphin, goes to the Theatre, and to the Fair of St. Ovide, and to St. Cloud. — Is enthusiastic illy received everywhere. — She learns to drive. — She makes some Relaxations in Etiquette. — Marriage of the Comte d'Artois. — The King's Health grows Bad. — Visit of Marshal Lacy to Versailles. — The King catches the Small-pox. — Madame du Barri quits Versailles. — The King dies Ve

Chapter VIII

The Court leaves Versailles for La Muette. — Feelings of the New Sovereigns. — Madame du Barri is sent to a Convent. — Marie Antoinette writes to Maria Teresa. — The Good Intentions of the New Sovereigns. — Madame Adelaide has the Small-pox. — Anxieties of Maria Teresa. — Mischievous Influence of the Aunts. — Position and Influence of the Count de Mercy. — Louis consults the Queen on Matters of Policy. — Her Prudence. — She begins to Purify the Court, and to relax the Rules of Etiquette. — Her Care of her Pages. — The King and she renounce the Gifts of Le Joyeux Avenement, and La Ceinture de la Reine. — She procures the Pai'don of the Due de Choiseul 87

Chapter IX

The Comte de Provence intrigues against the Queen. — The King gives her the Little Trianon. — She lays out an English Garden. — Maria Teresa cautions her against Expense. — The King and Queen abohsh some of the Old Forms. — The Queen endeavors to establish Friendships with some of her Younger Ladies. — They abuse her Favor. — Her Eagerness for Amusement. — Louis enters into her Views. — Etiquette is abridged. — Private Parties at Choisy. — Supper Parties. — Opposition of the Princesses. — Some of the Courtiers are dissatisfied at the Eelaxation of Etiquette. — Marie Antoinette is accused of Austrian Preferences Page 97

Chapter X

Settlement of the Queen's Allowance. — Character and Views of Turgot. — She induces Gluck to visit Paris. — Performance of his Opera of " Iphigenie en Aulide." — The First Encore. — Marie Antoinette advocates the Re-establishment of the Parliaments, and receives an Address from them. — Enghsh Visitors at the Court. — The King is compared to Louis XII. and Henri IV. — The Archduke Maximilian visits his Sister. — Factious Conduct of the Princes of the Blood. — Anti - Austrian Feeling in Paris. — The War of Grains. — The King is crowned at Rheims. — Feelings of Marie Antoinette. — Her Improvements at the Trianon. — Her Garden Parties there. — Descrijition of her Beauty by Burke, and by Horace Walpole 107

CHAPTER XL

Tea is introduced. — Horse-racing of Count d'Artois. — Marie Antoinette goes to see it. — The Queen's Submissiveness to the Reproofs of the Empress. — Birth of the Due d'Angouleme. — She at times speaks lightly of the King. — The Emperor remonstrates with her. — Character of some of the Queen's Friends. — The Princess de Lamballe. — The Countess Jules de Pohgnac. — They set the Queen against Turgot. — She procures his Dismissal. — She gratifies Madame Polignac's Friends. — Her Regard for the French People. — Water Parties on the Seine. — Her Health is Delicate. — Gambling at the Palace 119

Chapter XII

Marie Antoinette finds herself in Debt. — Forgeries of her Name are committed. — The Queen devotes herself too much to Madame de Polignac and others. — Versailles is less frequented. — Remonstrances of the Empress. — Volatile Character of the Queen. — She goes to the Bals d'Opera at Paris. — She receives the Duke of Dorset and other English Nobles with Favor. — Grand Entertainment given her by the Count de Provence. — Character of the Emperor Joseph. — He visits Paris and Versailles. — His Feelings toward and Conversations with the King and Queen. — He goes to the Opera. — His Opinion of the Queen's Friends. — Marie Antoinette's Letter to the Empress on his Departure. — The Emperor leaves her a Letter of Advice 129

Chapter XIII

Impressions made on the Queen by the Emperor's Visit. — Mutual Jealousies of her Favorites. — The Story of the Chevaher d'Assas. — The Terrace Concerts at Versailles. — More Inroads on Etiquette. — Insolence and Unpopularity of the Count d'Artois. — Marie Antoinette takes Interest in Politics.

— France concludes an Alliance with the United States. — AfPairs of Bavaria. — Character of the Queen's Letters on Politics. — The Queen expects to become a Mother. — Voltaire returns to Paris. — The Queen declines to receive him. — Misconduct of the Duke of Orleans in the Action ofE Ushant. — The Queen uses her Influence in his Favor Page 141

Chapter XIV

Birth of Madame Royale. — Festivities of Thanksgiving. — The Dames de la Halle at the Theatre. — Thanksgiving at Notre Dame. — The King goes to a Bal d'Ope'ra. — The Queen's Carriage breaks down. — Marie Antoinette has the Measles. — Her Anxiety about the War. — Retrenchments of Expense... 155

Chapter XV

Anglomania in Paris. — The Winter at Versailles. — Hunting. — Private Theatricals. — Death of Prince Charles of Lorraine. — Successes of the English in America. — Education of the Due d' Angouleme. — Libelous Attacks on the Queen. — Death of the Empress. — Favor shown some of the Swedish Nobles. — The Count deFersen. — Necker retires from Office. — His Character... 167

CHAPTER XVL

The Queen expects to be confined again. — Increasing Unpopularity of the King's Brothers. — Birth of the Dauphin. — Festivities. — Deputations from the Different Trades. — Songs of the Dames de la Halle. — Ball given by the Body-guard. — Unwavering Fidelity of the Regiment. — The Queen offers up her Thanksgiving at Notre Dame. — Banquet at the Hotel de Ville. — Rejoicings in Paris 176

Chapter XVII

Madame de Guimenee resigns the Office of Governess of the Royal Children. — Madame de Pohgnac succeeds her. — Marie Antoinette's Views of Education. — Character of Madame Royale. — The Grand Duke Paul and his Grand Duchess visit the French Court. — Their Characters. — Entertainments given in their Honor. — Insolence of the Cardinal de Rohan. — His Character and previous Life. — Grand Festivities at Chantilly. — Events of the War. — Rodney defeats De Grasse. — The Siege of Gibraltar fails. — M. de Suffrein fights five Drawn Battles with Sir E. Hughes in the Indian Seas. — The Queen receives him with Great Honor on his Return 184

Chapter XVIII

Peace is re-estabhshed. — Embarrassments of the Ministry. — Distress of the Kingdom. — M. de Calonne becomes Finance Ministei". — The Winter of l'783-'84 is very Severe. — The Queen devotes Large Sums to Charity. — Her Political Influence increases. — Correspondence between the Emperor and her on European Politics. — The State of France. — The Baron de Breteuil. — Her Description of the Character of the King 194

Chapter XIX

"The Marriage of Figaro." — Previous History and Character of Beaumarchais. — The Performance of the Play is forbidden. — It is said to be a little altered. — It is licensed. — Displeasure of the Queen. — Visit of Gustavus III. of Sweden. — Fete at the Trianon. — Balloon Ascent Page 202

Chapter XX

St. Cloud is purchased for the Queen. — Libelous Attacks on her. — Birth of the Due de Normandie. — Joseph presses her to make France support his Views in the Low Countries. — The Affair of the Necklace. — Share which the Cardinal de Rohan had in it. — The Queen's Indignation at his Acquittal. — Subsequent Career of the Cardinal 210

Chapter XXI

The King visits Cherbourg. — Rarity of Royal Journeys. — The Princess Christine visits the Queen. — Hostility of the Due d'Orleans to the Queen. — Libels on her. — She is called Madame Deficit. — She has a Second Daughter, who dies. — 111 Health of the Dauphin. — Unskillfulness and Extravagance of Calonne's System of Finance. — Distress of the Kingdom. — He assembles the Notables. — They oppose his Plans. — Letters of Marie Antoinette on the Subject. — Her Ideas of the English Parhament. — Dismissal of Calonne. — Character of Archbishop Lomenie de Brienne. — Obstinacy of Necker. — The Archbishop is appointed Minister. — The Distress increases. — The Notables are dissolved. — Violent Opposition of the Parliament. — Resemblance of the French Revolution to the English Rebellion of 1642. — Arrest of D'Espremesnil and Montsabert 223

CHAPTER XXn.

Formidable Riots take place in some Provinces. — The Archbishop invites Necker to join his Ministry. — Letter of Marie Antoinette describing her Interview with the Archbishop, and her Views. — Necker refuses. — The Queen sends Messages to Necker. — The Archbishop resigns, and Necker becomes Minister. — The Queen's View of his Character. — Genei'al Rejoicing. — Defects in Necker's Character. — He recalls the Parliament. — Riots in Paris. — Severe Winter. — General Distress. — Charities of the King and Queen. — Gratitude of the Citizens. — The Princes are concerned in the Libels published against the Queen. — Preparations for the Meeting of the States-general. — Long Disuse of that Assembly. — Need of Reform. — Vices of the Old Feudal System. — Necker's Blunders in the Arrangements for the Meeting of the States. — An Edict of the King concedes the Chief Demands of the Commons. — Views of the Queen 234

Chapter XXIII

The Reveillon Riot. — Opening of the States-general. — The Queen is insulted by the Partisans of the Due d'Orleans. — Discussions as to the Number of Chambers. — Career and Character of Mirabeau. — Necker rejects his Support. — He determines to revenge himself. — Death of the Dauphin 24V

Chapter XXIV

Troops are brought up from the Frontier. — The Assembly petitions the King to withdraw them. — He refuses. — He dismisses Necker. — The Baron de Breteuil is appointed Prime Minister. — Terrible Riots in Paris. — The Tricolor Flag is adopted. — Storming of the Bastile and Murder of the Governor. — The Count d'Artois and other Princes fly from the Kingdom. — The King recalls Necker. — Withdraws the Soldiers and visits Paris. — Formation of the National Guard. — Insolence of La Fayette and Bailly. — Madame de Tourzel becomes Governess of the Royal Children. — Letters of Marie Antoinette on their Character, and on her own Views of Education.... Pa^e 257

Chapter XXV

Necker resumes Office. — Outrages in the Provinces. — Pusillanimity of the Body of the Nation. — Parties in the Assembly. — Views of the Constitutionalists or "Plain." — Barnave makes Overtures to the Court. — The Queen rejects them. — The Assembly abolishes all Privileges, August 4th. — Debates on the Veto. — An Attack on Versailles is threatened. — Great Scai'city in Paris. — The King sends his Plate to be melted down. — The Regiment of Flanders is brought up to Versailles. — A Military Banquet is held in the Opera-house. — October 5th, a Mob from Paris marches on Versailles. — Blunders of La Fayette. — Ferocity of the Mob on the 5th. — Attack on the Palace on the 6th. — Danger and Heroism of the Queen. — The Royal Family remove to Paris. — Their Reception at the Barrier and at the Hotel de Ville. — Shabbiness of the Tuileries. — The King fixes his Residence there 270

CHAPTER XXVL

Feelings of Marie Antoinette on coming to the Tuileries. — Her Tact in winning the Hearts of the Common People. — Mirabeau changes his Views. — Quarrel between La Fayette and the Due d'Orleans. — Mirabeau desires to offer his Services to the Queen. — Riots in Paris. — Murder of Fran9ois. — The Assembly pass a Vote prohibiting any Member from taking Office. — The Emigration. — Death of the Emperor Joseph IL — Investigation into the Riots of October. — The Queen refuses to give Evidence. — Violent Proceedings in the Assembly. — Execution of the Marquis de Favras 287

Chapter XXVII

The King accepts the Constitution so far as it has been settled. — The Queen makes a Speech to the Deputies. — She is well received at the Theatre. — Negotiations with Mirabeau. — The Queen's Views of the Position of Affairs. — The Jacobin Club denounces Mirabeau. — Deputation of Anacharsis Clootz. — Demohtion of the Statue of Louis XIV. — Abolition of Titles of Honor. — The Queen admits Mirabeau to an Audience. — His Admiration of her Courage and Talents. — Anniversary of the Capture of the Bastile. — Fete of the Champ de Mars. — Presence of Mind of the Queen 299

CHAPTER XXVIIL

Great Tumults in the Provinces. — Mutiny in the Marquis de Bouille's Army. — Disorder of the Assembly. — Difficulty of managing Mirabeau. — Mercy is removed to The Hague. — Marie Antoinette sees constant Changes in the Aspect of Affairs. — Marat denounces Her. — Attempts are made to assassinate Her. — Resignation of Mirabeau. — Misconduct of the Emigrant Princes 310

Chapter XXIX

Louis and Marie Antoinette contemplate Foreign Intervention. — Tiie Assembly passes Laws to subordinate tlie Churcii to the Civil Power. — Insolence of La Fayette. — Marie Antoinette refuses to quit France by Herself. — The Jacobins and La Fayette try to revive the Story of the Necklace. — Marie Antoinette with her Family. — Fhght from Paris is decided on. — The Queen's Preparations and Views. — An Oath to observe the new Ecclesiastical Constitution is imposed on the Clergy. — The King's Aunts leave France... Pa^e 320

Chapter XXX

The Mob attacks the Castle at Vincennes. — La Fayette saves it. — He insults the Nobles who come to protect the King. — Perverseness of the Count d'Artois and the Emigrants. — Mirabeau dies. — General Sorrow for his Death. — He would probably not have been able to arrest the Revolution. — The Mob prevent the King from visiting St. Cloud. — The Assembly passes a Vote to forbid him to go more than twenty Leagues from Paris 331

CHAPTER XXXL

Plans for the Escape of the Royal Family. — Dangers of Discovery. — Resolution of the Queen. — The Royal Family leave the Palace. — They are recognized at Ste. Menehould. — Are arrested at Varennes. — Tumult in the City, and in the Assembly. — The King and Queen are brought back to Paris 341

Chapter XXXII

Marie Antoinette's Feelings on her Return. — She sees Hopes of Improvement. — The lYth of July. — The Assembly inquire into the King's Conduct on leaving Paris. — They resolve that there is no Reason for taking Proceedings. — Excitement in Foreign Countries. — The Assembly proceeds to complete the Constitution. — It declares all the Members Incapable of Election to the New Assembly. — Letters of Marie Antoinette to the Emperor and to Mercy. — The Declaration of Pilnitz. — The King accepts the Constitution. — Insults offered to him at the Festival of the Champ de Mars. — And to the Queen at the Theatre. — The First or Constituent Assembly is dissolved 352

Chapter XXXIII

Composition of the New Assembly. — Rise of the Girondins. — Their Corruption and Eventual Fate. — Vergniaud's Motions against the King. — Favorable Reception of the King at the Assembly, and at the Opera. — Changes in the Ministry. — The King's and Queen's Language to M. Bertrand de Moleville. — The Count de Narbonne. — Petion is elected Mayor of Paris. — Scarcity of Money, and Great Hardships of the Royal Family. — Presents arrive from Tippoo Sahib. — The Dauphin. — The Assembly passes Decrees against the Priests and the Emigrants. — Misconduct of the Emigrants. — Louis refuses his Assent to the Decrees. — He issues a Circular condemning Emigration ^...^. 369

Chapter XXXIV

Death of Leopold. — Murder of Gustavus of Sweden. — Violence of Vergniaud. — The Ministers resign. — A Girondin Ministry is appointed. — Character of Dumouriez. — Origin of the Name Sans-culottes. — Union of Different Parties against the Queen. — War is declared against the Empire. — Operations in the Netherlands. — Unskillfulness of La Fayette. — The King falls into a State of Torpor. — Fresh Libels on the Queen. — Barnave's Advice. — Dumouriez has an Audience of the Queen. — Dissolution of the Constitutional Guard. — Formation of a Camp near Paris. — Louis adheres to his Refusal to assent to the Decree against the Priests. — Dumouriez resigns his Office, and takes command of the Army Page 382

CHAPTER XXXV. The Insurrection of June 20th 395

CHAPTER XXXVL

Feelings of Marie Antoinette. — Different Plans are formed for her Escape. — She hopes for Aid from Austria and Prussia. — La Fayette comes to Paris. — His Mismanagement. — An Attempt is made to assassinate the Queen. — The Motion of Bishop Lamourette. — The Feast of the Federation. — La Fayette proposes a Plan for the King's Escape. — Bertrand proposes Another. — Both are rejected by the Queen 404

CHAPTER XXXVIL

Preparation for a New Insurrection. — Barbaroux brings up a Gang from Marseilles. — The King's last Levee. — The Assembly rejects a Motion for the Impeachment of La Fayette. — It removes some Regiments from Paris. — Preparations of the Court for Defense. — The 10th of August. — The City is in Insurrection. — Murder of Mandat. — Louis reviews the Guards. — He takes Refuge with the Assembly. — Massaci'e of the Swiss Guards. — Sack of the Tuileries. — Discussions in the Assembly. — The Royal Authority is suspended 415

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Indignities to which the Royal Family are subjected. — They are removed to the Temple. — Divisions in the Assembly. — Flight of La Fayette. — Advance of the Prussians. — Lady Sutherland supplies the Dauphin with Clothes. — Mode of Life in the Temple. — The Massacres of September. — The Death of the Princess de Lamballe. — Insults are heaped on the King and Queen. — The Trial of the King. — His Last Interview with his Family. — His Death 430

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The Queen is refused Leave to see Clery. — Madame Royale is taken 111. — Plans are formed for the Queen's Escape by MM. Jarjayes, Toulan, and by the Baron de Batz. — Marie Antoinette refuses to leave her Son. — Illness of the young King. — Overthrow of the Girondins. — Insanity of the Woman

Tison. — Kindness of the Queen to her. — Her Son is talcen from her, and intrusted to Simon. — His Ill-treatment. — The Queen is removed to the Conciergerie. — She is tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal. — She is condemned. — Her last Letter to the Princess Elizabeth. — Her Death and Character Page 44:2

INDEX 463

LIFE OF MARIE ANTOINETTE.

Chapter I

Importance of Marie Antoinette in the Revolution. — Value of her Correspondence as a Means of estimating her Character. — Her Birth, November 2d, 1755. — Epigram of Metastasio. — Habits of the Imperial Family. — Schonbrunn. — Death of the Emperor. — Projects for the Marriage of the Archduchess. — Her Education. — The Abbe de Vermond. — Metastasio. — Gluck.

The most striking event in the annals of modern Europe is unquestionably the French Revolution of 1789 — a Revolution which, in one sense, may be said to be still in progress, but which, in a more limited view, may be regarded as having been consummated by the deposition and murder of the sovereign of the country. It is equally undeniable that, during its first period, the person who most attracts and rivets attention is the queen. One of the most brilliant of modern . French writers* has recently remarked that, in spite of the number of years which have elapsed since the grave closed over the sorrows of Marie Antoinette, and of the almost unbroken series of exciting events which have marked the annals of France in the interval, the interest excited by her story is as fresh and engrossing as ever ; that such as Hecuba and Andromache were to the ancients, objects never named to inattentive ears, never contemplated without lively sympathy, such still is their hapless queen to all honest and intelligent Frenchmen. It may even be said that that interest has increased of late years. The respectful and remorseful pity which her fate could not fail to awaken has been quickened by the publication of her correspondence with her family and intimate friends, which has laid bare, without disguise, all her inmost thoughts and fee^ir -, her errors as well as her good deeds, her weaknesses equally a